Death of Figure in Elders Case Called a Suicide
A police informant who testified last week in the cocaine-sale trial of the son of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders has been found dead of an apparent suicide, authorities said.
The body of Calvin R. Walraven, 24, was found inside his home Thursday with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police spokesman Tim Hoover said.
“No foul play is suspected,” Hoover said.
Walraven, an informant for the Little Rock Police Department, testified July 18 against Kevin Elders at his trial in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Elders was found guilty by Judge John Plegge, who set sentencing for Aug. 29.
The trial was delayed for part of one day because Walraven turned up in a hospital. He testified that he had been taking an anti-anxiety drug for two years “for a number of mental conditions I have” and had received extensive treatment for the previous four days.
Elders’ defense claimed police entrapment, alleging that Walraven badgered him into the July 29, 1993, sale of one-eighth ounce of cocaine. Elders said Walraven called him repeatedly in the weeks before the deal and threatened to expose him to the media.
Walraven testified that he agreed to “help set (Elders) up” for Little Rock police because he saw needle marks on Elders’ arm from drug use.
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